Students seeking the Reading Specialist add-on endorsement from the Virginia Department of Education, are required to have a master’s degree, a minimum of 3 years of teaching reading experience, and a current teaching license. A submitted copy of the current teaching license is required along with the admissions application. Candidates for this endorsement are also required to take and pass the Virginia Reading Assessment for the Reading Specialists prior to receiving the degree and bring recommended for licensure/endorsement.

Reading Specialist Program , M.Ed. - Course Descriptions

EDUC 500 Online Orientation (0) Required during the first semester of enrollment in some programs; acclimates students to Blackboard, the platform off which online classes are launched.

EFND 598 Professional Project (1-5) Before the awarding of a degree, successfully complete a culminating experience. For most, the project will consist of providing evidence, in the form of a portfolio, that critical program competencies have been met. Cross-listed with EFND 698.

ETSP 501 Faith Integration Assessment (1) Required prior to program completion and should be completed in the last semester of the program. Includes a required culminating activity that investigates individual faith growth as assessed through a reflective writing activity.

ETSP 551 Characteristics of Students with Disabilities (3) Discusses students who demonstrate patterns of behavior consistent with learning disabilities, mild mental retardation and emotional disorders, and the characteristics of students with hearing, vision and/or physical impairments. Survey the range of conditions, which contribute to students being eligible for special education services. Presents an overview of
identification, assessment, program options and intervention services. This course includes as competencies a classroom observation and practicum experience.

ETSP 553 Language Acquisition & the Communicative Arts (3) This course prepares participants to develop students’ communicative competence through a focus of the language modes: listening, speaking, and writing. The 180 School of Education course content addresses language development, language theories, and best practices of assessing and teaching language. Particular attention will be given to language difficulties of students with mild disabilities, and/or language deficit, and/or second language acquisition.

ETSP 554 Assessing & Teaching Reading of Narrative & Expository Texts (4) This course will prepare participants to assess reading skills and to teach reading to student with mild disabilities and/or language deficit and/or second language acquisition. The course will specifically address reading processes, approaches, and stages, early intervention practices, corrective reading, diagnosis and remediation of reading problems, and assessment and instruction of reading in the content areas. Investigate and analyze record reviews and interviews; design, administer, and interpret tests; write reports; and design, implement, and critique instruction. The focus will be on the application and generalization of knowledge to realistic classroom situations.

ETSP 555 Collaboration & Consultation (3) In this course participants will acquire the necessary knowledge base and skills to collaborate and/or consult with other professionals, students, and parents. Particular attention will be
given to teaming, collaborative consultation, and co-teaching. Cross-listed with ETSP 655.

ETSP 570 Instructional Methods for Students with Disabilities (3) Learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and mental retardation investigated from theoretical, philosophical, medical, and legal perspectives. Emphasis on instructional methods for students with learning and behavioral concerns including Attention Deficit Disorder. The impact of learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and mental retardation across the life span with emphasis on curriculum, instructional strategies, and transition issues will be studied. Interpretation of assessment and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are included.

ETSP 576 Data Driven Assessment (3) The study of achievement assessment, IQ test, validity and reliability, constructs, construction of authentic assessment and scoring, norm referenced v. criterion referenced, determination of biased assessments and factors that may influence assessment such as cultural, behavioral, and learning diversity. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of commonly used individual and group instruments, including norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, and curriculum-based measures and task analysis, observation, portfolio, and environmental assessments; and synthesis and interpretation of assessment findings for eligibility, program planning, and program evaluation decisions will be addressed.

ETSP 584 Reading Service Delivery: Supervision & Current Trends (3) Examines current trends as well as methods and service delivery options. Demonstrate the ability to instruct and advise teachers in the skills necessary to
differentiate reading instruction for both low- and high-achieving readers, as well as demonstrate an understanding of the needs of high achieving students and of strategies to challenge them at appropriate levels. Addresses the reading
supervisor’s roles and responsibilities. Do field observations and interviews, literature reviews, case studies and interactive journaling. Prerequisite: all coursework leading up to the reading internship.

ETSP 585 Reading Research, Curriculum & Technology (3) Examine major research in the field of reading and review, and investigate the use of technology in teaching and assessing reading, writing with associate skills of spelling
and grammar, and research skills. Demonstrate the ability to guide students in their use of technology for both process and product as they work with reading writing and research. Examine and demonstrate an ability to teach reading and spelling curricula. Curricular materials and methods will include a children’s literature component in which you will demonstrate the ability to foster appreciation for a variety of literature and understand the importance of promoting independent reading and reading reflectively by selecting quality literature, including fiction and nonfiction, at appropriate levels. Prerequisite: all coursework leading up to the reading internship.

ETSP 596 Reading Internship (3) Field-based experience where you will demonstrate the full range of professional responsibilities of a reading specialist. Prerequisite: all program coursework.

UNIV LIB Information Research & Resources (0) Teaches basic competencies in the use of computer and related information technology research and resources, including use of the library. Enroll in the course in the first semester. Required for graduation. Pass/No Pass.